This chart of the 

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM shows the apparatus for

breathing. Breathing is the process by which oxygen in the air is brought
into the lungs and into close contact with the blood. which absorbs it and
carries it to all parts of the body. At the same time the blood gives up waste
matter (carbon dioxide), which is carried out of the lungs with the air
breathed out.

The SINUSES are hollow spaces in the bones of the head. Small openings

connect them to the nasal cavity. The functions they serve are not clearly
understood, but include helping to regulate the temperature and humidity of
air breathed in, as well as to lighten the bone structure of the head and to
give resonance to the voice.

The NASAL CAVITY (nose) is the preferred entrance for outside air into

the Respiratory System. The hairs that line the inside wall are part of the
air-cleansing system.
Air also enters through the ORAL CAVITY (mouth), especially in people
who have a mouth-breathing habit or whose nasal passages may be
temporarily obstructed, as by a cold.

The ADENOIDS are overgrown lymph tissue at the top of the throat. When

they interfere with breathing, they are generally removed. The lymph
system, consisting of nodes (knots of cells) and connecting vessels, carries
fluid throughout the body. This system helps resist body infection by
filtering out foreign matter, including germs, and producing cells
(lymphocytes) to fight them.

The TONSILS are lymph nodes in the wall of the pharynx that often

become infected. They are an unimportant part of the germ-fighting system
of the body. When infected, they are generally removed.

The PHARYNX (throat) collects incoming air from the nose and passes it

downward to the trachea (windpipe).

The EPIGLOTTIS is a flap of tissue that guards the entrance to the

trachea, closing when anything is swallowed that should go into the
esophagus and stomach.

The LARYNX (voice box) contains the vocal cords. It is the place where

moving air being breathed in and out creates voice sounds.

The ESOPHAGUS is the passage leading from the mouth and throat to the
stomach.

The TRACHEA (windpipe) is the passage leading from the pharynx to the

lungs.

The RIBS are bones supporting and protecting the chest cavity. They move
to a limited degree, helping the lungs to expand and contract.

The trachea divides into the two main BRONCHI (tubes), one for each
lung. These, in turn, subdivide further into bronchioles.

The RIGHT LUNG is divided into three LOBES, or sections.

The left lung is divided into two LOBES.

The PLEURA are the two membranes, that surround each lobe of the lungs
and separate the lungs from the chest wall.

The bronchial tubes are lined with CILIA (like very small hairs) that have a
wave-like motion. This motion carries MUCUS(sticky phlegm or liquid)
upward and out into the throat, where it is either coughed up or swallowed.
The mucus catches and holds much of the dust, germs, and other
unwanted matter that has invaded the lungs and thus gets rid of it.

The DIAPHRAGM is the strong wall of muscle that separates the chest

cavity from the abdominal cavity. By moving downward, it creates suction
to draw in air and expand the lungs.

The smallest subdivisions of the bronchi are calledBRONCHIOLES, at the

end of which are the alveoli (plural of alveolus).

The ALVEOLI are the very small air sacs that are the destination of air
breathed in. The CAPILLARIES are blood vessels that are imbedded in the
walls of the alveoli. Blood passes through the capillaries, brought to them
by thePULMONARY ARTERY and taken away by thePULMONARY VEIN.
While in the capillaries the blood discharges carbon dioxide into the alveoli
and takes up oxygen from the air in the alveoli.